Thoughts on the Gospel of John (142) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:1–2

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (142)
The Lord Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover together in the upper room. During this occasion, He spoke about their relationships with the persons of the Godhead. Now they are on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, and this way leads through vineyards. The Lord takes this setting as an occasion to instruct His disciples about what their task and position in this world would be in the future.

Jesus calls himself the true vine. There had been a vine before, but it did not bear fruit for God. The people of Israel are compared to a vine or vineyard in several places in the Old Testament (cf. Psalm 80:8–16; Isaiah 5:1–2). But if a vine doesn’t bear fruit, it is useless. Other trees at least produce timber, but the wood of a vine is good for nothing.

The main theme here is “bearing fruit”. This is less about what we do and more about how we do it. God wants to have joy in our behaviour – in our entire lives. All who confess Jesus Christ – even if it is only through their baptism – are in a certain way connected to the vine. Therefore, the characteristics of Jesus should be visible in their behaviour.

The vinedresser pays close attention. He knows who bears fruit and who doesn’t, who is a true disciple of the Lord and who isn’t. Only those who are genuine are promoted by Him.

Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 25:32-44 · Philippians 3:17-21